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Senate bill would end life without parole sentences

Jan 18, 2013 - By Ben Neary, The Associated Press

CHEYENNE -- Under a bill proposed Thursday, Wyoming would no longer have a prison sentence of life without parole -- a punishment currently reserved for ...

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CHEYENNE -- Under a bill proposed Thursday, Wyoming would no longer have a prison sentence of life without parole -- a punishment currently reserved for first-degree murder convictions or repeated sex offenses.
The measure would prohibit such sentences in the future and allow the governor to shorten prison terms for inmates facing such time.
Sen. Bruce Burns, R-Sheridan, said he raised the plan "for the sake of the state."
"Right now we have about 21 or 22 people in for life without parole, and there will be more," Burns said. "And at some point, we're going to have an aged population of people serving life without parole, and the state's going to be responsible for their medical care."
Burns said the plan would give the governor the authority to "basically get rid of the state's responsibility for these people."
Cheyenne District Attorney Scott Homar opposes the measure, saying that in some cases, particularly when it comes to sex offenses, "There's just no question that life without the possibility of parole is the only penalty they should get."
Linda Burt, with the ACLU of Wyoming, said her group might have concerns with Burns' bill because it could result in more people receiving death sentences.
Burns spoke at a hearing last week in favor of a separate House bill that would prohibit sentences of life without parole for juvenile offenders.